NORWICH – Chenango County Mental Hygiene Services Director Mary Ann Spryn will retire Feb. 27 after 21 years of public service.

Spryn unofficially announced her decision in early December to county supervisors who make up the Health and Human Services Committee. The committee went into executive session Tuesday to discuss candidates for her replacement.

Meanwhile, Spryn’s administrative services officer, Tom Crounse, has left the department. Crounse has assisted Spryn for the past 8 1/2 years in overseeing the department’s budgets for mental health, alcohol and drug, and intensive case management services. The three budgets combined total in excess of $5 million.

Spryn said Crounse left the department on Jan. 8 “with very little notice.”

Town of New Berlin Supervisor Ross Iannello, who is politically unafilliated, made a motion to fill Crounse’s position at the same salary, $42,490. During discussion, however, committee Chairman Jeff Blanchard, R-Pitcher, said position refills are referred to the Personnel Committee, and that committee would then be responsible for setting salaries.